A Blue Mountains town is getting some overdue recognition with the release of a new book, The Secret Suburb.
Book author Michele Corin grew up with the story of Lapstone, a small suburb with a big difference, and didn’t want its history to get lost.
“It’s a really interesting place, Lapstone, because it was developed by a fellow who was quite incredible,” Corin said.
That fellow was Arthur Hand, a Penrith-born man who delayed his retirement and purchased 116 acres of vacant land in the lower Blue Mountains in 1954.
“With the Lapstone development, he was looking for ways to create a model suburb,” Corin explained.
“He put in underground electricity – which is way before its time – and he did that so that the views from Lapstone out to the Cumberland Plain and Nepean River would not be obstructed by ugly power lines.
“He also put in brick kerbside guttering, which is unique to Lapstone.”
All services in Lapstone were installed underground, including telephone wires and gas, to improve property costs, enhance the streetscape, and decrease injury to wildlife and motorists involved in utility pole collisions.
Hand also played a large role in the accessibility of the suburb.
“I think Lapstone had never been developed because of the access issues, so the railway was another one of his investments as well as creating a road from the Great Western Highway to connect with Lapstone,” Corin explained.
“He was forever thinking of ideas and improvements and innovations.”
Readers can pre-order by emailing lapstonebook@gmail.com.
Ally Hall joined the Western Sydney Publishing Group in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She is a graduate of the University of South Australia.